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Manhattan Architecture Yacht Cruise: Iconic NYC Landmarks
4.8
1,375 Ratings
New York
Step aboard the elegant 1920s style yachts, Manhattan or Manhattan II, and embark on a 2.75 hour cruise to explore NYC’s iconic architectural landmarks. Learn about the city’s history and enjoy breathtaking views from the water.
Step aboard the elegant 1920s style yachts, Manhattan or Manhattan II, and embark on a 2.75 hour cruise to explore NYC’s iconic architectural landmarks. Learn about the city’s history and enjoy breathtaking views from the water.
Duration:
2 hours, 45 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- One World Observatory - Learn about the buildings that make up Manhattan’s Financial District as the boat cruises around Manhattan. Enjoy live commentary about many famous buildings from the guide throughout the cruise.
- Woolworth Building - Spot the Woolworth Building as the boat cruises around Manhattan and enjoy live commentary about many…
- One World Observatory - Learn about the buildings that make up Manhattan’s Financial District as the boat cruises around Manhattan. Enjoy live commentary about many famous buildings from the guide throughout the cruise.
- Woolworth Building - Spot the Woolworth Building as the boat cruises around Manhattan and enjoy live commentary about many famous buildings from the guide.
- Statue of Liberty - Great up-close views of the Statue of Liberty can be seen from the boats observation cabin or open bow. A nice photo opportunity!
- Brooklyn Bridge - Cruise under all 18 bridges that connect Manhattan to the outer boroughs, New York and New Jersey on this 2.75-hour cruise, including the historic Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridges!
- Lower East Side - Learn about the buildings that make up Manhattan’s Lower East Side as the boat cruises around Manhattan. Enjoy live commentary about many famous buildings from the guide throughout the cruise.
- Empire State Building - See this historic landmark from the water
- Chrysler Building - Spot the Chrysler Building as the boat cruises up the East River and enjoy live commentary about many famous buildings from the guide.
- Upper West Side - Cruise along the Upper West Side, see some historic sites and learn about new buildings and the waterfront along the way
- George Washington Bridge - As the boat cruises the northern part of Manhattan, enjoy a pass under the GW Bridge that connects Manhattan to New Jersey.
- Roosevelt Island - Up-close views of this historic island can be seen as the boat cruises along the East River.
- Four Freedoms Park - Just one of the many points of interest you’ll see up-close from the comfort of the boats observation cabin or open bow.
What's Included
- One complimentary beverage included
- Narration by a member of the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter
- Elegant tables assigned
- Choose between private section seating or communal seating at check out
- One complimentary beverage included
- Narration by a member of the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter
- Elegant tables assigned
- Choose between private section seating or communal seating at check out
What's Not Included
- Gratuity is not included in the price of your cruise, but recommended.
- Food selections available for purchase. If bringing food please keep to a light snack
- Gratuity is not included in the price of your cruise, but recommended.
- Food selections available for purchase. If bringing food please keep to a light snack
Additional Information
Step onto the wooden decks of our classy 1920s inspired yachts, Manhattan or Manhattan II, and take pleasure in a 2.75 hour sail while gaining knowledge about NYC’s architectural marvels from the river. The commentary for the ‘Around Manhattan’ trip is provided by the NYC chapter of the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA), and is crafted to be…
Step onto the wooden decks of our classy 1920s inspired yachts, Manhattan or Manhattan II, and take pleasure in a 2.75 hour sail while gaining knowledge about NYC’s architectural marvels from the river. The commentary for the ‘Around Manhattan’ trip is provided by the NYC chapter of the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA), and is crafted to be informative enough for both tourists and residents alike.
Our unique and comfortable tour takes you along the Hudson, East, and Harlem Rivers from an enclosed viewing cabin with sliding windows for some fresh air. Alternatively, take a stroll to the open front for an uninterrupted view of the surrounding landmarks. This cruise takes you around the entire Manhattan Island, taking you under all 18 of its bridges while showing you monuments, architectural features, parks and other aspects of the city’s infrastructure. Continuous narration is provided throughout the cruise.
Please note: Certain Friday afternoon departures will focus on the topic of Climate Change in New York City and its surrounding areas. For queries regarding the tour’s theme, kindly contact the tour operator directly.
- Guarantee of a full circumnavigation of Manhattan is not included. On rare occasions, the Spuyten Duyvil train bridge is inoperable and cannot open for us to pass through. This is often times not known until our tour is underway. River closures may also occur for a number of reasons. There are no refunds for tours that cannot fully circumnavigate. We will accommodate such cases with a tour that features a double backing of the route and further detail of the waterfront sites.
- Service animals are permitted; Emotional Support animals and pets are not permitted
- Please coordinate with the operator in advance if assistance is required for boarding or if you have any questions about general accessibility. Accessibility varies by boat
- Not for children under 12 years due to this cruise being a heavily-narrated tour experience. We recommend families to join us on Statue & Skyline tours, day sails or any other minimally narrated day time event
- This cruise is a heavily-narrated tour experience. It’s for those seeking an informative, exciting, and content-rich trip. We require guest conversations to be kept to a reasonable level so that narration can be heard by all
- Large group bookings are not permitted. Multiple bookings are subject to added fees or cancellation by operator
- Important note for Friday departures: the narration on this tour on select Friday departures will focus on Climate Change: Resiliency, Sustainable Architecture and the Future of NYC. Please reach out to the operator for questions on specific tour theme details
Location
Classic Harbor Line
Chelsea Piers
The boat departs from Chelsea Piers, at Pier 62, which is located at the northern end of the Chelsea Piers Complex. Our ticket booth is located on the water just steps from our dock. Please check in at the Classic Harbor Line ticket booth upon arrival.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(1375 Ratings)
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Marco_c
Dec 6, 2025
Learn the history of Manhattan with you eyes. - Great sightlines no matter where you are on the boat.
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Review provided by Viator
William_w
Dec 4, 2025
Captain and crew were... - Captain and crew were exceptional. Jenny was our guide and she was phenomenal! We will definitely do this again.
Review provided by Viator
Theresahboland
Dec 3, 2025
The lecturer from the AIA... - The lecturer from the AIA was extremely interesting and informative about the history of the buildings and the events in different periods. It was a relaxed atmosphere, and questions were welcomed. Also, the captain and boat crew were friendly and professional.
Review provided by Viator
Sallyjo336yk
Dec 3, 2025
Fun and Informative - A great experience traveling around Manhattan with an architect! The ship was comfortable and a free drink was included.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nancyj3
Nov 27, 2025
Exciting, and interesting cruise! - My husband and thoroughly enjoyed our cruise around manhattan.. The architect was fun and knowledgeable. Views from the rivers, with the commentary, gave us so much more information than we’d have ever known. Loved it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
X7609zqdanc
Nov 22, 2025
A better way to see New York - This was a wonderful way to see Manhattan Island. The guide was very informative and the boat was comfortable. It was a bit pricey but worth it for us.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Elainea_r
Nov 21, 2025
Hands down one of the... - Hands down one of the best things to do in NYC. This was my second booking for this experience. Loved it both times and would book it again.
Review provided by Viator
Bertinaj_j
Nov 16, 2025
1000/10 Experience - The experience was amazing from start to finish!! We needed mobility accommodations and Captain Albert and Savannah did not hesitate to assist!! Our tour guide was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. (Although his name escapes me) The views were breathtaking!! We will definitely take this tour again.
Review provided by Viator
U6999kynancys
Nov 30, 2025
Happy we took the AIANY Manhattan 3 hour morning cruise! - Four adults in our family continued our annual holiday tradition of taking in a history/cultural tour. The AIANY tour did not disappoint! The ship is lovely, clean, and warm on a brisk cold Nov morning! Our guide Ginny definitely knew her stuff on NY archtecture. We purchased the higher priced TIX but aside from it including a drink, We didnt see any advantage. The configuration of seating had 2 of us with backs against the window. There are skylights and passengers may move to bow for special viewing (statue of liberty, etc) We had beautiful sunny weather for the 3 hour cruise. I recommend for adults...probably not small children due to the length of cruise and small size of ship. Very polite staff and captain and narrator!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Brandyn_b
Nov 26, 2025
Might be interesting for someone who isn’t familiar with the area - Booked the experience for my mom and I to do when she came for thanksgiving as I recently had ACL and meniscus repair and walking isn’t the easiest right now. Requested a seat prior to booking where I’d be able to keep my locked brace straight. I was sat in the middle of the aisle, where every single person who was making their way to the bow of the ship had to move around me, or I had to move my leg. Had I sat with my leg under the table, I would’ve had my back turned to 90% of the sights. There were other seat options at my group table that would’ve accommodated me, but staff did not reserve one or ask anyone to move. In order to see anything at all I had to crane my neck around the bar, or get the group of men who were allowed to block the doors to the bow to move and sit out there. If you book - book private seating if you want to see anything and not be jostled the entire trip.
If you’re visiting the area, it’s a decent overview of some of the better known buildings. If you’re expecting interesting insight from the tour guide, you will need to provide your own questions, as otherwise it’s a quite straightforward, basic facts commentary.
Beautiful boat.
Review provided by Viator
